Corn and Soybean Replant Decisions

Deciding if a sparse stand needs to be replanted is a difficult decision.
Predicting how stand density will be affected by the combination of
planting date and changing environmental conditions is the biggest
challenge. A step-by-step procedure for estimating the gain or loss from
replanting should be followed.

First, the field must be evaluated to
determine the extent of the problem and the yield potential. The cause of
the sparse stand needs to be determined or subsequent plantings may be
similarly affected. Pre-emergence causes could include seed quality, low
moisture, crusting, saturated soil, herbicide injury, insect damage or
seedling diseases. Post emergence causes could include weather events,
diseases or insects.

The next step is to obtain an accurate
plant population, which is needed to estimate yield potential. Stand
variability will determine the number of areas that need to be sampled. If
the population is fairly uniform, fewer samples will be needed. Also,
consider if the whole field needs to be sampled since some areas of the
field may not need replanting. Count the number of live plants (healthy or
capable of recovery) in a given area. Do not count weak plants or plants
damaged beyond recovery. Note the condition of the remaining plants in the
field, including gaps and their size and the amount of weed pressure.

For corn you can use the following table to calculate stand:

Row Width

Row Length For 1/1000 Of Acre

30 in

17 feet, 5 inches

20 in

26 feet, 2 inches

15 in

34 feet, 10 inches

For soybeans, using the hula-hoop method, the following table applies:

&nbsp

Inside Diameter Of Hoop

Plants In Hoop

30"

32"

34"

36"

38"

Thousands Of Plants Per Acre

2

18

15

14

12

11

4

35

31

28

25

22

6

53

47

41

37

33

8

71

62

55

49

44

10

89

78

69

62

55

12

107

94

83

74

66

14

124

109

97

86

77

16

142

125

110

99

89

After stand measurement, the next step is
to estimate yield potential. Yield is greatly influenced by both
environment and genetics. Tables are available in
UMC
Guide 4091, Corn and Soybean Replant Decisions, that estimate yield
potential as a percentage of normal. Do not overestimate or underestimate
yield potential, as this will significantly affect the final replant decision.

Then calculate the value of the crop at
harvest because predicted market price can greatly influence replant
decisions. Even if the yield from replanting would be greater than that
from the existing stand, the cost of replanting may be more than the
increased yield would return. In determining the total cost of replanting,
the grower needs to consider costs such as seed, fuel, machinery, labor,
pesticides and additional drying.

The final decision involves taking all of
these variables into consideration. With this information, it is possible
to determine if replanting is economically justified. In most instances,
planting into existing stands is not recommended because plants of uneven
sizes and maturity perform poorly. This is particularly true with corn.

Taxation Tidbits: Sale of Residence - Exclusion of Gain

Most people are able to sell their
principal residence without incurring any income tax liability. A tax
provision was passed in 1997 and final regulations were issued in late
2002 providing for gain exclusion of $250,000 ($500,000 on a joint return)
from the sale of a principal residence.

The basic test for qualifying for this
exclusion of gain is that you must have owned and used the home as your
principal residence for a minimum period of two years in the five-year
period ending on the date you sell the residence.

The final regulations have clarified some
important questions regarding this provision. For example, what kind of
property can qualify as a personal residence? In addition to the
traditional house, the regulations state a personal residence may include
a houseboat, a house trailer, or as a tenant-stockholder in a cooperative
housing corporation.

The regulations provide guidance relative
to the factors to be utilized in determining a taxpayer's principal
residence. They include:

place of employment

principal place of abode

address listed on tax returns, driver's license, voter registration

mailing address for bills and correspondence

location of religious organizations and recreational clubs.

The final regulations also provide
clarification permitting a fractional exclusion amount if the taxpayer
fails to meet the ownership and use requirements due to a change in place
of employment, health, or unforeseen circumstances.

This exclusion provision is a very beneficial financial management tool for individuals
desiring to sell their primary residences. There is no age requirement for
the taxpayer and the funds do not have to be reinvested in another
residence. For taxpayers willing to give up their large/expensive family
home for a smaller/less-expensive home or home ownership altogether, this
gain exclusion provision can create an attractive tax-sheltered retirement vehicle.

Seed Technologies for Pest Management

New traits and seed technologies are being developed continuously as new
tools to manage crop production. Available in 2003 are Herculex I, YieldGard
Rootworm, and Cyst-X. Another technology in development is the Rps8 gene,
which will be available in the near future.

Herculex I offers a broad spectrum of in-plant insect protection
according to Mycogen. This corn trait expresses the Cry 1F protein which is
toxic to black cutworm, fall armyworm, southwestern corn borer and European
corn borer resistance. Herculex I also offers intermediate control of corn
earworm and tolerance to over-the-top applications of Liberty herbicide. Dow
Agrosciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International jointly developed Herculex I
and received EPA and FDA registrations in the fall of 2001, but delayed the
sale until after June of 2002, when Japan also approved it for import.

Another new technology from Monsanto, which has received full
registration, is YieldGard Rootworm. The technology uses the Bt protein Cry
3Bb to protect against corn rootworm. YieldGard Rootworm will require a 20%
refuge, similar to the requirement for Bt corn products. The new hybrids
will be offered in 95- to 114-day maturities. A subsequent registration of
Monsanto's YieldGard Plus is expected for the stacked combination of Cry
1Ab protein (which controls European corn borer) with the Cry 3Bb to control
corn rootworm. Growers can expect to see a limited offering of both the corn
rootworm and the stacked trait.

Dow Agro Sciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred collaboratively expect to develop
the Bt proteins Cry 34/35Ab1 to offer growers another choice of corn
rootworm resistant Bt hybrids. Syngenta has a corn rootworm-resistant Bt
trait targeted for 2005. They also have another Bt trait for European corn
borer that can be stacked with the company's rootworm or existing corn borer traits.

For soybeans, there are a few new traits on the horizon. Many Bt proteins
are being developed for new crop traits. Monsanto is creating a Bt soybean
to control pests such as velvetbean caterpillar. Another new trait developed
by researchers at The Ohio State University is Cyst-X. This new trait
provides resistance to all known races of soybean cyst nematode. Over 110
companies are currently evaluating this technology. A limited amount of seed
with these traits should be available for planting in 2003.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have also discovered another
resistance gene for Phytophthora root rot from a South Korean variety. The
gene's name is Rps8, which refers to its location on the plant genome. So
far, Rps8 has proven effective against phytophthora from 50 Ohio locations
where other resistance genes are beginning to fail. If the new gene proves
effective against a broad population, it could last from 8 to 20 years. At
least another year of research is needed to determine the effectiveness of
the new gene and additional field trials are expected.

2003 Corn Flea Beetle Predictions for Missouri

The corn flea beetle is a pest where the relative numbers can be
predicted in contrast to black cutworm and European corn borer predictions.

Adult corn flea beetles overwinter in grassy areas. When winter
temperatures are low (average temperature below 30°F per month), poor
survival results and few early season flea beetle problems should occur.
High flea beetle numbers and damage are most likely to occur following a
warm winter (averages above 33°F per month) followed by a cool wet spring,
which slows seedling corn growth. Under these conditions, corn flea beetles
have a chance to feed on the seedling corn leaves for a relatively long
time. Typical flea beetle damage is a silvering and even death of the
leaves. The economic threshold for flea beetles attacking seedling corn is 5
or more per plant with significant feeding when the plants are under cool
weather stress. Steward's wilt, a bacterial disease of corn, may also be
transmitted by flea beetle feeding.

Adding the average daily winter temperatures for December, January and
February are used to estimate the likelihood of flea beetle survival. If the
combined monthly average is less than 90° F, then it is likely that few flea
beetles have survived. Average combined temperatures between 90° F and 100°
F suggest flea beetle damage is possible. When these monthly temperatures
are above 100° F, flea beetle survival will be good and damage is likely.
This year the southern 1/3 of Missouri had combined average winter
temperatures of 107° F. Central Missouri's average daily winter
temperatures were 90° F. The Northern Missouri combined average monthly
temperatures were 87° F.

Flea beetle numbers will likely be high during the time field corn is
emerging over the southern 1/3 of Missouri. Some fields in Central Missouri
may have flea beetle problems although the number may be marginal. Corn
fields in northern Missouri will probably not have corn flea beetle injury.

An additional factor is the temperature during and just after corn
emergence. If it is cool enough to slow or stop early growth, the corn will
need to be scouted for flea beetle damage immediately.

Click here to view a
table of the average temperatures in December 2002 and January and February 2003.

Ag Connection is published monthly for Central Missouri Region producers and is supported by University of Missouri Extension, the Commercial Agriculture program, the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Managing Editor: Kent Shannon.